diff --git a/podman-peerjs/30_start.sh b/podman-peerjs/30_start.sh
index b07f65e..c629327 100755
--- a/podman-peerjs/30_start.sh
+++ b/podman-peerjs/30_start.sh
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ source ${ABSDIR}/vars.sh
 ensure_pwd_is_scriptdir
 ensure_not_root
 
-if systemctl is-active --quiet service ${service_name}; then
+if systemctl --user is-active --quiet service ${service_name}; then
   echo Service ${service_name} is already running.
   exit 1
 fi
diff --git a/podman-peerjs/40_stop.sh b/podman-peerjs/40_stop.sh
index 9c765c9..4463e62 100755
--- a/podman-peerjs/40_stop.sh
+++ b/podman-peerjs/40_stop.sh
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ source ${ABSDIR}/vars.sh
 ensure_pwd_is_scriptdir
 ensure_not_root
 
-if ! systemctl is-active --quiet service ${service_name}; then
+if ! systemctl --user is-active --quiet service ${service_name}; then
   echo Service ${service_name} is already stopped.
   exit 1
 fi